Good news on the injury front. After BC's 5-3 win over Merrimack, York commented on the status of BC forward Chris Kreider and his broken jaw. York stated that Kreider will play in Friday's NCAA Tournament first round game against Colorado College.
Kreider returns to practice today and plans on joining the team on their trip to St. Louis.
Kreider has missed the Eagles' last five games after suffering a broken jaw in BC's 4-0 win over New Hampshire. Brian Gibbons second period puck clear found its way under Kreider's visor, and he immediately went to the ice writing in pain.
Since Kreider's injury, BC has gone 5-0 including a 4-3 win over UNH in the regular season finale and four wins in the Hockey East Tournament.
Kreider has 11 goals and 12 assists in 31 games this year for the Eagles, but his return this weekend cannot be understated. Kreider caught fire during the second half of last season's Championship run, tallying 5 points in the Hockey East Tournament and a goal and an assist in Frozen Four victories over Miami and Wisconsin.
If Kreider can go, he'll likely replace sophomore winger Brooks Dyroff on the roster. The Eagles' top four offensive lines should look like they did right before Kreider's injury:
Joe Whitney-Brian Gibbons-Cam Atkinson
Chris Kreider-Pat Mullane-Jimmy Hayes
Paul Carey-Bill Arnold-Steven Whitney
Barry Almeida-Kevin Hayes-Patrick Brown